Differences and Similarities between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano.

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Lhasa Apso Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Lhasa Apso and for the Spinone Italiano. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Lhasa Apso or the Spinone Italiano.

Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

A very important difference between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Lhasa Apso is a tiny-sized dog while the Spinone Italiano is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Lhasa Apso belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Lhasa Apso to the Spinone Italiano based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano

Factor Lhasa Apso Spinone Italiano
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 2/5
Weight 12 to 15 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 14 years
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 4/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 12.0 years
Average Price $1780 $1180
Price Range $1500 – $1996 $1000 – $1000
Temperament Score 70.4 percent 50.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 71 112

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Lhasa Apso in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Spinone Italiano. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Lhasa Apso is 79 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Spinone Italiano is 86 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Spinone Italiano is a better pet than the Lhasa Apso. So, you should get the Spinone Italiano!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • Lhasa Apsos do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Lhasa Apsos are not very friendly towards strangers. However, Spinone Italianos are very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano

    The Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are most similar:

  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano.

    Lhasa Apsos weigh 12 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Lhasa Apsos are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano

    The lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Lhasa Apsos is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Lhasa Apsos live longer than Spinone Italianos.

    Temperament of the Lhasa Apso Versus the Spinone Italiano

    The Lhasa Apso has a better temperament than the Spinone Italiano.

    This is because the temperament score for the Lhasa Apso is 70.4 percent while the temperament score for the Spinone Italiano is 50.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 70.4 percent, the Lhasa Apso has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 50.0 percent, the Spinone Italiano has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano by measuring the temperaments of 27 Lhasa Apsos and 6 Spinone Italianos.

    Price of Lhasa Apso versus Price of Spinone Italiano

    The average price of the Lhasa Apso puppy is $1780. The price of the Lhasa Apso typically ranges from $1500 – $1996. However, the price of a Lhasa Apso can be as low as $200 and as high as $3499. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 104 Lhasa Apso puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Spinone Italiano puppy is $1180. The price of the Spinone Italiano typically ranges from $1000 – $1000. However, the price of the Spinone Italiano can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 30 Spinone Italiano puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Lhasa Apso is more expensive than the Spinone Italiano.

    Lhasa Apso Spinone Italiano
    Average Price $1780 $1180
    Price Range $1500 to $1996 $1000 to $1000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Lhasa Apso and Spinone Italiano. For different price points, the charts show how many Lhasa Apso puppies or how many Spinone Italiano puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Lhasa Apsos. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    A breakdown of the prices of Spinone Italianos

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Lhasa Apso puppy or the Spinone Italiano puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Popularity of Lhasa Apso versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Lhasa Apso is more popular with dog owners than the Spinone Italiano. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Lhasa Apso is 71 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Lhasa Apso

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Lhasa Apso Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 63 117
    2014 67 118
    2015 65 112
    2016 71 105
    2017 77 111
    2018 71 109
    2019 78 116
    2020 78 110

    Tolerates Being Alone: Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano

    Lhasa Apsos can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Lhasa Apsos shed more than Spinone Italianos?

    Lhasa Apsos shed moderately.

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Lhasa Apso or the Spinone Italiano

    Lhasa Apsos do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Lhasa Apso or the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Lhasa Apso Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Spinone Italianos have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Lhasa Apsos Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Lhasa Apsos are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Lhasa Apso vs. Spinone Italiano

    Lhasa Apsos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Lhasa Apsos Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Lhasa Apsos cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Lhasa Apso or the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Lhasa Apsos good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

    Lhasa Apsos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Lhasa Apsos and Spinone Italianos?

    Lhasa Apsos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos are fairly easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Lhasa Apso Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Lhasa Apso or the Spinone Italiano?

    Lhasa Apsos are very good for new dog owners.

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Lhasa Apso

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Lhasa Apso that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Lhasa Apso:

  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (77 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Peek A Poo (79 percent match with Lhasa Apso). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Spinone Italiano:

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Lhasa Apso vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Lhasa Apso and how the Spinone Italiano compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Lhasa Apso and of the Spinone Italiano to other breeds:

    Lhasa Apso Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Lhasa Apso versus King Shepherd     Lhasa Apso versus Papipoo     Lhasa Apso versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Lhasa Apso versus Collie     Lhasa Apso versus Newfoundland     Lhasa Apso versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Lhasa Apso versus Pomsky     Lhasa Apso versus American Water Spaniel     Lhasa Apso versus Belgian Sheepdog     Lhasa Apso versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Lhasa Apso versus Komondor     Lhasa Apso versus Akita     Lhasa Apso versus Saint Berdoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Schnoodle     Lhasa Apso versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus Border Collie     Lhasa Apso versus Weimaraner     Lhasa Apso versus Carolina Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Pomchi     Lhasa Apso versus Giant Schnauzer     Lhasa Apso versus Cane Corso     Lhasa Apso versus Cesky Terrier     Lhasa Apso versus Australian Cattle Dog     Lhasa Apso versus Labrador Retriever     Lhasa Apso versus German Shorthaired Pointer     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Dachshund     Spinone Italiano versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Spinone Italiano versus Akbash     Spinone Italiano versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Spinone Italiano versus Shihpoo     Spinone Italiano versus Maremma Sheepdog     Spinone Italiano versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Spinone Italiano versus Yorkshire Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Redbone Coonhound     Spinone Italiano versus Japanese Chin     Spinone Italiano versus Boston Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Shiranian     Spinone Italiano versus Collie     Spinone Italiano versus Briard     Spinone Italiano versus Doberman Pinscher     Spinone Italiano versus Carolina Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Spinone Italiano versus Keeshond     Spinone Italiano versus Chihuahua     Spinone Italiano versus Pharaoh Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Golden Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Airedale Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Xoloitzcuintli     Spinone Italiano versus Afghan Hound     Spinone Italiano versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Lhasa Apso versus Spinone Italiano. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Lhasa Apso and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.